Athlete who lost his legs after birth sends hilarious message of love to his girlfriend

Hunter Woodhall found his passion and his love in running after being told he wouldn’t be able to walk. (Photo: hunterwoodhall via Twitter)

There are many different ways to express love to a significant other, whether it be through a card, a phone call, or a simple intimate gesture. But for Hunter Woodhall, a double amputee with an accomplished background in track and field, going above and beyond is nothing unusual.

The 18-year-old Utah native took to Twitter to post a photo of himself and his girlfriend, Tara Davis, on the beach, where he used humor to reveal the strength behind their relationship.

“The day I stop loving you, will be the same day my feet grow back… <3,” he wrote alongside a photo that reveals his prosthetic legs. The reason behind posting it, he tells Yahoo Style, was to express his infatuation with his significant other.

“She is the greatest person I’ve ever met, and I wanted to show the world,” he says. “The caption was a little bit of the humor that goes around on a daily basis with us.”

The pair, who met at the Simplot Games in February of this year, share a quirky sense of humor as well as a passion for their sport — two things that are of utmost importance to the teen, who was told he would never accomplish much of what he already has.

17 years ago I was told I would never walk. It's 2017 and I think im just gonna keep running, cause this year is about reaching new heights. pic.twitter.com/kOmu7fGPUi

“When I was born, the initial diagnosis was that I would never be able to walk,” Woodhall tells Yahoo Style. “Doctors told my parents I would never play sports or jump with my friends. After meeting with multiple specialists, we were referred to Shriners Hospitals for Children. They suggested the best solution was to amputate my legs.”

Woodhall’s struggles only began there. He later found out that it was difficult to make friends and says he didn’t seem to fit in anywhere — until he found running.

“I started running in the fifth grade in 5K fun runs with my family,” he explains. “I started to enjoy running and joined the track-and-field team in seventh grade. I still did not have a great friend group, although the track was somewhere that I felt comfortable.”

Next time you are looking for an excuse of why you can't follow your dreams. Just don't, I wasn't supposed to walk. What's stopping you. pic.twitter.com/QgoPo7Z4H8

Since then, Woodhall has been exposed to so many incredible opportunities through the sport. It has taken him to four continents, 12 countries, and many states within the U.S., as well as to his girlfriend, who has accomplished much of the same.

“She is also a very accomplished track athlete, with national and state records, and championship titles on the state, national, and world level,” Woodhall says, “so it is so nice having someone who has a lot of the same goals and aspirations with similar motivation.”

Now, going off to separate universities, the pair have shared somewhat of a goodbye, although they’ll be seeing each other on the track.

“I try to start every day making a small list of things I am thankful for,” Woodhall says. “I love life, and I love what I do. I wish people would be confident in their differences and follow their dreams.”